SUMMARY: By this document, the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration is promulgating new standards regulating exposure to MDA. The
basis for this action is a determination by the Assistant Secretary, based on
animal and human data, that exposure to MDA at the current occupational
exposure levels causes adverse effects on employee health including an
increased risk of cancer and that limiting occupational exposure to MDA to an
eight-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 10 parts per billion (ppb),
establishing a short-term exposure limit (STEL) of 100 ppb, and implementing
associated provisions will significantly reduce this risk. In addition to
establishing permissible exposure limits (PELs) for MDA, this regulation
includes requirements such as medical surveillance, exposure monitoring,
hygiene facilities, engineering controls and work practices, proper
respirator use, and recordkeeping. An action level of 5 ppb is included in
this final standard as a mechanism for exempting employers from the
obligation to comply with certain requirements, such as employee exposure
monitoring, in instances where the employer can demonstrate that employee
exposures are at or below the action level.

The standards apply to all industries covered by the OSH Act including
general industry, construction, and maritime.

For the most part, the provisions adopted by OSHA in these final regulations
were recommended by the MDA Mediated Rulemaking Advisory Committee
(Committee).

Effective Date: These final rules shall become effective on September
9, 1992.

ADDRESSES: In compliance with 28 U.S.C. 2112(a), the Agency
designates for receipt of petitions for review of the standard, the Associate
Solicitor for Occupational Safety and Health, Office of the Solicitor, Room
S-4004, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC
20210. Any such petitions for review must be filed not later than the 59th
day following the promulgation of the standard. See section 6(f) of the OSH
Act; 29 CFR 1911.18(d) and United Mine Workers of America v. Mine Safety and
Health Administration, 900 F.2d 384 (D.C. Cir. 1990).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James F. Foster, Director Office
of Public Affairs, OSHA, Rm. N-3641, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, D.C., 20210, Telephone (202) 523-8151. Copies of this document
may be obtained two weeks after the publication date from the OSHA
Publication Office, Rm. N-3101, at the above address, or by calling
(202-523-9667) or at any OSHA regional or area office.

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